Nine Network published a report on a fighting incident between British tourist Sam Oliver and former Rugby Sevens captain James Stannard. The said report described the incident as "a coward punch that ended the career" of Mr Stannard. It was introduced with the words "no penalty".

Oliver sued Nine Network because of this. He claimed that that local media had portrayed him as a thug following the unprovoked fight. He said Stannard threw the first punch, giving him a black eye, and he had instinctively hit back. "It was tough to deal with, seeing my name get dragged through the mud," he said.

An assault case against Oliver relating to the incident was filed. However Oliver was acquitted with the charges.

In its defense against the defamation suit, Nine News argued in court that it was a fair report and an expression of opinion relating to a matter of public interest.

However, the court, through Judge Michael Lee, ruled that it had wrongly portrayed Mr Oliver as a coward who had punched a defenceless man and ruined his career. It further ruled that the use of the term "coward punch" had conveyed a particular meaning that the puncher was "not only committing a violent act but also, distinctly, is contemptibly lacking the courage to act in a proper or fair way".